Oil Overfill Concern After Recent Oil Change – Seeking Advice

[Nick034]

Hi,

I went to a reliable Mustang shop (they specialize in all kinds of work for Mustangs) for an oil change. They changed the oil, and I drove home. After a few hours, I checked the oil level and found it was overfilled (cylinder temp was 140 Fahrenheit when I was checking the oil level). I'm not sure by how much exactly, but I estimate it's around 0.5 quart.

So far, I’ve moderately driven about 50 miles and for about 2 hours with the overfilled oil. I know I need to drain the excess oil, but apart from that, do you have any other suggestions?

Also, what are your thoughts on the long-term engine reliability after this incident?

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[Trap]

I would take it back and have them adjust the level. It is getting to be to common of a mistake,
That's why I have started to do my own again, tired of poor jobs and lack of caring by the guys doing the job

 

[robvas]

A half a quart high? Who cares

drain a bit out in their parking lot and call it even

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

Are you sure it’s over filled? Those dipsticks are notoriously inaccurate and vary widely from one car to another. If they used bottles to fill, it’s probably correct despite the dipstick reading. Also, half a quart is not really much when we’re talking about 8 and I wouldn’t worry about it anyway.

 

[Buldawg76]

Are you sure the car is on perfectly level surface, if it was my car I would drive it and enjoy it since that is not enough to worry about at all. The upper hole in dipstick is full mark and lower hole is add mark and cross hatch marking in between is just to be able to determine level easier.

BD

 

[cerbomark]

did you look at both sides of the stick?
1/2 quart is nothing to worry about.

 

[WildHorse]

I always read the side facing the engine. As long as it's between the 2 marks, I call it good.

 

[KeyLime]

Forget about it. It's slightly over. This isn't a problem, not even slightly.

BTW there's a 5 % increase due to thermal expansion between cold and operating temperature. 1/2 a quart. Is your dipstick calibrated for hot or cold oil?

 

[MD18EcoStang]

Are you sure it’s over filled? Those dipsticks are notoriously inaccurate and vary widely from one car to another. If they used bottles to fill, it’s probably correct despite the dipstick reading. Also, half a quart is not really much when we’re talking about 8 and I wouldn’t worry about it anyway.

Inaccurate dipsticks? Aren't they all the same (per model/engine)? What other option do we have?

 

[KeyLime]

I What other option do we have?

Add 10 qts and call it good.

Seriously, we could spend all day talking about equalizing tire pressure, finding fiducial marks for leveling the car, removing weight from the trunk, etc. At the end of the day it's just a motor and if the oil is close the motor doesn't know the difference.

Notice that I didn't suggest disconnecting the battery for 5 minutes because weird things happen when the battery is low. I couldn't keep a straight face for that long.

 

[MD18EcoStang]

Add 10 qts and call it good.

Seriously, we could spend all day talking about equalizing tire pressure, finding fiducial marks for leveling the car, removing weight from the trunk, etc. At the end of the day it's just a motor and if the oil is close the motor doesn't know the difference.

Notice that I didn't suggest disconnecting the battery for 5 minutes because weird things happen when the battery is low. I couldn't keep a straight face for that long.

Yeah, I know that. I've never considered a dipstick to be a precise measuring instrument, and when you factor in all the variables humans and the environment introduce, it's just a good guess... i.e. close enough!

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

Inaccurate dipsticks? Aren't they all the same (per model/engine)? What other option do we have?

There was a thread on here with people discussing where full was on their dipstick (based on knowing that they personally put in the correct amount of oil) and comparing. Some were above the full line, some below. I’m sure it’s a shock that would happen on this forum

 

[MD18EcoStang]

There was a thread on here with people discussing where full was on their dipstick (based on knowing that they personally put in the correct amount of oil) and comparing. Some were above the full line, some below. I’m sure it’s a shock that would happen on this forum

Like those who believe they fill their gas tank to the exact same level every time. To the ounce...

 

[Nick034]

The car was on a level surface (it’s a manual, and it was in neutral). I checked the oil level after driving the car and letting it sit for 1h30m. The cylinder head temperature was around 140°F at that time.

I have a 2015 Mustang GT, which has an oil capacity of 8 quarts (7.6l). I brought two jugs of oil, each containing 5 liters. After the oil change, there was slightly more than 2 liters (about 2 quarts) left in one of the jugs, plus the oil still inside the engine.

So, it appears the overfill is closer to 1 quart in total.

 

[KeyLime]

The car was on a level surface (it’s a manual, and it was in neutral). I checked the oil level after driving the car and letting it sit for 1h30m. The cylinder head temperature was around 140°F at that time.

I have a 2015 Mustang GT, which has an oil capacity of 7.6 quarts. I brought two jugs of oil, each containing 5 liters. After the oil change, there was slightly more than 2 liters (about 2 quarts) left in one of the jugs, plus the oil still inside the engine.

So, it appears the overfill is closer to 1 quart in total.

Maybe the serious motor heads who know way more than I do can chime in here. But I think a quart is not a big worry. Thing big problem is if the oil pan is too full then windage or direct strike from the swinging crank can pick up and froth the oil. Oil with air in it doesn't pump well since air is compressible. Hence oil pressure and circulation problems.

Unless you're routinely wringing the Coyote's neck at high rpm's I don't think you have to worry about frothing at a quart over. Drain a bit out when you have an opportunity but don't worry about daily driving it.

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